Aston Villa are optimistic in-form winger Ashley Young will be fit for Sunday's Premier League derby with Birmingham at St Andrews.

Young set up the opening goal for central defender Martin Laursen and scored
the second himself in Saturday's 2-0 home win against Derby.

But the former Watford player, who recently broke into the full England squad,
limped out of the action with 20 minutes remaining because of a groin injury.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill said: 'Ashley was suffering with a tight groin
when he came off and we are hoping he might be okay after a couple of days.

'We will monitor things. He has been doing so well for us, has been full of
confidence and feels something is going to happen everytime he gets the ball.'

O'Neill had no complaints about the boos from a section of Villa fans which
greeted the half-time whistle against the Rams after a below-par display.

The Irishman believes the level of expectation amongst supporters has been
raised after a promising start to the campaign.

O'Neill said: 'We had a great crowd on Saturday and I have nothing but the
utmost admiration for them in coming out in their droves.

'Obviously they want us to do well and if there are some comments when it's
not happening for 10 or 15 minutes, then most of it is our fault. I want there
to be an expectation level.

'I have often said if you pay your money you are entitled, the minute you
walk into that ground, to say what you think.

'If fans decide they want to cheer for the whole 90 minutes, then great. If
they want to moan for the whole 90 minutes then that's entirely their
prerogative. They have paid a lot of money.

'The expectation level is getting higher and I don't mind that. Why shouldn't
it be? It's the only way forward. We haven't reached the Manchester United or
Arsenal level yet but we are going to strive to get there.'